Speed control for dental handpieces

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a pneumatic controller for use with electrically or pneumatically driven dental handpieces wherein the controller has a portion mounted directly on the handpiece and in associated with a conventional foot controller so that the speed of the handpiece may be controlled by either the portion mounted on the handpiece or by the conventional foot controller.

United States Patent Pietschmann 1 July 18, 1972 [54] SPEED CONTROL FOR DENTAL Referemles Ciled HANDPIECES UNITED STATES PATENTS [72] Inventor: Helmut Richard Pietschmann, Karlsruhe, 3,125,809 3/1964 White ...32/27 Germany 3,568,318 3/1971 Martin.. ...32/27 [73] Assignee: Sybron Corporation, Rochester, N Y 3,449,831 6/1969 Vandrs ..32/26 Filadi g- 1970 Primary Examiner--Robcrt Peshock [2 1 No: Attorney--'I'heodore Roessel {57] ABSTRACT [30] Foreign Application Priority Data Disclosed is a pneumatic controller for use with electrically or Sept. 28, 1969 Germany ..P 19 48 059.2 pneumatically driven dental handpieces wherein the troller has a portion mounted directly on the handpiece and in associated with a conventional foot controller so that the c speed of the handpiece may be controlled by either the por- Of Search ..22/27, 3, tion mounted on the handpiece or the conventional f controller.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented July 18, 1972 3,676,931

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{I I I I IN VENTOR.

HELMUT RICHARD PIETSCHMANN ATTORNEY SPEED CONTROL FOR DENTAL HANDPIECES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to control means for use with electrically or pneumatically driven dental handpieces and, more specifically, to a means for controlling the speed of the handpiece either from the handpiece or from a conventional foot operated controller.

Various systems are known for controlling the speed of dental handpieces. For example, in the case of air driven handpieces, any suitable air regulator mounted either in a foot control unit or in the dental unit may be used to control the flow of drive air to the handpiece. Likewise, in the case of electrically driven handpieces, the control is usually provided by means of a potentiometer mounted either in a foot control unit or in the dental unit.

Where foot controllers are used, the settings are achieved by moving a foot operated lever to set positions. Where the controls are mounted in the dental unit, dials or push buttons are operated by the dentists free hand to change speed. One drawback of the foot controller is that the dentist must balance on one foot during its operation. A drawback of controls mounted in the dental unit is that the dentist must remove the handpiece from the patients mouth and direct his attention to the console in order to change speeds. While attempts have been made to mount the control unit directly on the handpiece, such a control, especially in the case of electrically driven handpieces, make the handpiece heavy and unwieldly.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a speed control means which may be incorporated into the body of either an electrically or pneumatically driven handpiece.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a control means incorporated into the body of a dental handpiece which can be connected to known foot controllers without making extensive modifications to the foot controller.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic control means attached to the body of a dental handpiece which can be adapted to operate either a potentiometer or an air regulator so that the control means may be used with either an electrically or pneumatically driven handpiece.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a finger operated pneumatic control means mounted on the body of a handpiece wherein the dentist may regulate the speed of the handpiece directly from this controller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION ing mechanism of a conventional electrically or pneumatic foot controller wherein varying the nozzle opening creates a back pressure in the first and second flow lines to operate the piston of the fluid motor and, therefore, the mechanism of the conventional electrical or pneumatic foot controller. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the variable nonle is opened and closed by a slide valve which consists, for example, of a sliding sleeve which can be moved by a finger of the hand holding the handpiece.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of a dental unit; FIG. 2 is a schematic presentation of a control means together with an electrically driven dental handpiece;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the handpiece containing the variable nozzle; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a modified embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIG. I shows a dental unit 10 provided with an electrical handpiece 12 among other instruments. A conventional foot controller 14 connected to the dental unit and handpiece by means of a cable 16 contains any suitable regulator such as a potentiometer 18 (FIG. 2) which in turn is connected to conventional control circuitry (not shown) for controlling the speed of the handpiece. The potentiometer in the foot controller is operated by a foot lever 20.

Handpiece 12 as shown in FIG. 2 includes a body portion 22 which contains the electric motor for driving the burr 24, the electrical connection between the control circuitry and the motor being made by wires 26 extending into the base of the handpiece and coupled thereto by a conventional coupler 28. Also coupled to the handpiece by means of coupler 28 is an air line 30. One end of air line 30 receives air from any suitable source 32 through a reducer valve 34 and line 36. Line 30 has its other end (not shown) within coupler 28 connected to a pipe 38 carried by the handpiece. Pipe 38 is connected in turn by means of a joint member 40 to a discharge pipe 42. Discharge pipe 42 has its discharge end 44 (FIG. 3) passing through a ring member 46 for discharging air into a groove or slot 48 formed in the body of the handpiece. In this fashion, slot 48 forms a discharge nozzle for venting air from the discharge opening 44 of pipe 42 to atmosphere.

Mounted on the handpiece adjacent slot 48 is a sliding sleeve member 50 which can be moved manually on the handpiece body to open or close the nozzle opening formed by slot 48, the sliding sleeve and nozzle together providing a manually operable valve means for controlling the amount of airexhausted from the noule. For example, with sliding sleeve 50 in the position shown in FIG. 3, slot 48 is in a full open position and there is no obstruction of air streaming from discharge 44. However, sliding sleeve 50 to the right as viewed in FIG. 3 gradually closes the slot and narrows the opening until eventually the end 52 of the sliding sleeve seats against a shoulder 54 provided on the leading edge of ring 46. In this position, the opening 48 is completely closed to prevent the discharge of air to atmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 2, foot controller 14 is equipped with an air motor such as air cylinder 56, the piston 58 of the air cylinder being connected by means of a rod 60 to the foot lever 20. Air cylinder 56 is connected to line 30 by a line 62 which communicates with line 30 intermediate the reducing valve 34 and coupling 28. With this arrangement, the pressure in line 62 and air cylinder 56 is responsive to that in line 36 and 30. Accordingly, when nozzle 48 is in a full opened position, air cylinder 56 is not pressurized so that the piston is in a retracted position as shown in FIG. 2 and the handpiece is not operating.

However, moving sleeve 52 in the direction indicated by arrow B, that is to the right in FIGS. 2 and 3, reduces the opening of nozzle 48 which in turn reduces the amount of exhausting air. This causes the pressure to rise in lines 30, 36 and 62 and in air cylinder 56 which moves piston 58 out of the cylinder or to the right as viewed in FIG. 3. This movement of the piston is transmitted through rod 60 to the foot lever 20 so that the foot lever will be moved in the direction indicated by arrow A against the force of a spring member 64. Moving the foot lever in this manner rotates potentiometer 18 to increase the speed of the handpiece. Thus, gradually sliding sleeve 52 over nozzle 48 will gradually build up pressure in air cylinder 56 for moving foot lever 20 so that the speed of the handpiece can be set at any desired speed between its off or full-on position.

To avoid the exhausting of air when the handpiece is not being used, a switch 66 (FIG. 4) may be incorporated into the handpiece holder or at the hose rewind device (not shown), the switch being actuated at the moment the handpiece is being taken out of its holder to open the solenoid valve 68 located in flow line 36. Then, when the handpiece is replaced into the holder, switch 66 is actuated to close the solenoid 68 to stop the flow of air.

While the invention has been described with respect to electrically driven handpieces, it should be appreciated that the invention may also be employed with air driven handpieces wherein potentiometer 18 is replaced by a pneumatic regulator or control valve for regulating the supply of power air to the air driven handpiece.

Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the present invention accomplishes its intended objects in providing a pneumatic control means for use with either electrical or pneumatically driven dental handpiece which permits control of the speed of the handpiece from the handpiece itself or from a remote source such as a conventional foot controller. Further, the invention provides a simple pneumatic controller which may be incorporated into existing foot controllers without extensive modification of the foot controller in order to provide a dual control function; that is, control of speed of the handpiece from either the handpiece itself or from the foot controller. The use of the sliding sleeve to regulate the exhaust of air from nozzle 48 permits the dentist to easily regulate the speed of the handpiece without removing the handpiece from the mouth of the patient.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. In combination with an electrically or pneumatically driven dental handpiece and regulating means for regulating the speed of the handpiece, means for controlling the operation of said regulator means, comprising:

a. said handpiece having a slot formed on the outer surface thereof;

b. air supply means including a line having the discharge thereof opening into said slot for exhausting air into said slot and then to atmosphere;

c. a manually movable slide member on said handpiece disposed for a movement over said slot to open and close the same, the movement of said slide member over said slot acting to vary the back pressure in said line; and

(1. pressure responsive means operatively connected to said regulator means and communicating with said line, said pressure responsive means acting responsive to pressure variations in said line created by moving said slide member across said slot to operate said regulator means.

2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator means is a foot controller and said pressure responsive means is incorporated into said foot controller.

3. Apparatus for controlling the speed of electrically or pneumatically driven handpieces comprising in combination:

a. an exhaust nozzle on said handpiece;

b. air supply means including an air line connected to said exhaust nozzle for supplying air thereto;

c. a manually movable member on said handpiece for adjusting the opening of said nozzle to vary the amount of air exhausting therethrough and therefore the pressure in said air line;

d. a foot controller including a foot operated means said controller being operatively connected to said handpiece for controlling the speed thereof; and

e. an air motor having a driven member connected to said foot controller, said air motor being in communication with said air line and acting responsive to pressure in said air line to operate said foot controller, whereby the speed of said handpiece may be controlled either by operation of said foot operated means on said foot controller or by operation of said manually movable member on said handpiece.

4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said exhaust nozzle comprises a groove formed in said handpiece.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable member comprises a sliding sleeve on said handpiece movable across said groove to close the same.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said air motor is mounted within said foot controller. 

1. In combination with an electrically or pneumatically driven dental handpiece and regulating means for regulating the speed of the handpiece, means for controlling the operation of said regulator means, comprising: a. said handpiece having a slot formed on the outer surface thereof; b. air supply means including a line having the discharge thereof opening into said slot for exhausting air into said slot and then to atmosphere; c. a manually movable slide member on said handpiece disposed for a movement over said slot to open and close the same, the movement of said slide member over said slot acting to vary the back pressure in said line; and d. pressure responsive means operatively connected to said regulator means and communicating with said line, said pressure responsive means acting responsive to pressure variations in said line created by moving said slide member across said slot to operate said regulator means.
 2. A combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said regulator means is a foot controller and said pressure responsive means is incorporated into said foot controller.
 3. Apparatus for controlling the speed of electrically or pneumatically driven handpieces comprising in combination: a. an exhaust nozzle on said handpiece; b. air supply means including an air line connected to said exhaust nozzle for supplying air thereto; c. a manually movable member on said handpiece for adjusting the opening of said nozzle to vary the amount of air exhausting therethrough and therefore the pressure in said air line; d. a foot controller including a foot operated means said controller being operatively connected to said handpiece fOr controlling the speed thereof; and e. an air motor having a driven member connected to said foot controller, said air motor being in communication with said air line and acting responsive to pressure in said air line to operate said foot controller, whereby the speed of said handpiece may be controlled either by operation of said foot operated means on said foot controller or by operation of said manually movable member on said handpiece.
 4. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said exhaust nozzle comprises a groove formed in said handpiece.
 5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said movable member comprises a sliding sleeve on said handpiece movable across said groove to close the same.
 6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said air motor is mounted within said foot controller. 